Vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly with extendable and retractable mirror head

ABSTRACT

A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head adjustably mounted at a mounting arm via a link that pivotally attaches at one end to the mirror head and pivotally attaches at another end to the mounting arm. With the mounting arm attached at the side of a vehicle, the mirror head is adjustable relative to the mounting arm between a retracted position and an extended position. An adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting arm and includes an electrically operated motor that operates to pivotally adjust the link, which swings the mirror head along an arcuate path. When the motor is operated to pivotally adjust the link to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting arm, an angle of the mirror head relative to the side of the vehicle at which the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached is also adjusted.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/291,006, filed Mar. 4, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,875,454,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/790,176,filed Oct. 23, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,220,787, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/738,000, filed Jun.12, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,334, which claims the filing benefitsof U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/011,616, filed Jun. 13,2014, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of exteriorrearview mirror assemblies for vehicles and, more particularly, toextendable and retractable exterior rearview mirror assemblies forvehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide an automotive exterior rearview mirror assemblythat may be extended and retracted, such as for trailer towingapplications, where the mirror assembly may be extended to provideenhanced rearward viewing to the driver of the trailer pulling vehicle.Examples of extendable and retractable mirror assemblies are describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,483,385; 6,116,743; 6,213,609; 6,239,928; 6,276,808;6,325,518; 6,394,616 and/or 6,497,491, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an exterior rearview mirror assembly(configured for mounting at a side of an equipped vehicle) that includesan extending/retracting mechanism and actuator that is operable to movethe mirror head between a retracted position and an extended position.The actuator comprises a motor that is disposed at a mounting structurefor mounting the mirror head at the side of the vehicle. The motor, whenactuated, pivots a link that is connected between an inboard portion ofthe mirror head and the actuator, whereby pivotal movement of the linkmoves the inboard portion of the mirror head, which, in turn, causespivotal movement of an outboard link, which is connected between anoutboard portion of the mirror head and the mounting structure. Thepivoting of the links swings the mirror head relative to the mountingstructure while also pivoting or angling or canting the mirror headrelative to the mounting structure and the side of the vehicle. Forexample, when the actuator moves the mirror head from its retractedstate to its extended state, the mirror head may move outboard and mayangle rearward and towards the side of the vehicle so that thereflective element is angled or canted towards the vehicle to provideenhanced viewing by the driver of the vehicle when in its extendedstate.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an exterior rearviewmirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a mirrorcasing and a mirror reflective element. A mounting arm is configured forattachment at a side of a vehicle, and the mirror head is adjustablymounted at the mounting arm. An adjustment mechanism is adjustable toadjust the mirror head position relative to the mounting arm between aretracted position and an extended position. The adjustment mechanism,when adjusting the mirror head position, also adjusts an angle of themirror head relative to the side of the vehicle at which the exteriorrearview mirror assembly is attached. When the mirror head is in theretracted position, a surface of the mirror head (such as a generallyplanar surface of the mirror reflective element or of the mirror casingor of a mounting plate or bracket of the mirror head) is at or in orgenerally parallel to a first plane, and, when the mirror head is in theextended position, the surface of the mirror head is at a second plane.The surface of the mirror head is angled more towards the side of thevehicle when in the second plane (when the mirror head is in theextended position) than when in the first plane (when the mirror head isin the retracted position).

The adjustment mechanism may comprise first and second linkages thatpivotally mount or attach the mirror head at the mounting arm and thatpivot to move or swing or adjust the mirror head between the extendedand retracted positions. Optionally, the adjustment mechanism mayinclude an actuator that, when actuated (such as via a user input at thevehicle), pivots one of the linkages to impart movement of the mirrorhead (and to impart pivotal movement of the other linkages as well).Optionally, the adjustment mechanism may provide for manual movement ofthe mirror head between the extended and retracted positions, whereby atleast one of the linkages may engage detents to retain the linkage orlinkages and the mirror head at the respective extended or retractedposition.

Thus, the exterior rearview mirror assembly of the present inventionprovides an extendable and retractable mechanism that uses arotatable-drive actuator, which may be similar in type to actuators usedfor powerfold mirror applications. The mechanism of the presentinvention extends the mirror head and also pivots or cants the mirrorhead slightly rearward and towards the side of the vehicle so that, whenthe mirror head is extended, the reflective element is adjusted toprovide a better viewing angle to the driver of the vehicle, and thusavoids a further step or function of adjusting the mirror reflectiveelement after it is extended (with the mirror head pivoting or anglingback to its original state when the mirror head is retracted to alsoavoid the further adjustment of the reflective element when the mirrorhead is retracted), which is often required in knownextendable/retractable exterior mirrors.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior rearview mirror assembly inaccordance with the present invention, shown in its retracted state;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 1, shown in its extended state;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is another top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assemblyof FIG. 3, with portions shown as transparent to show additionaldetails;

FIG. 6 is another top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assemblyof FIG. 4, with portions shown as transparent to show additionaldetails;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly ofthe present invention, with portions removed to show additional details;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the extending/retracting mechanism ofthe exterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention, shown inits retracted state;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the extending/retracting mechanismof the exterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention, shownin its extended state;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the extending/retracting mechanism of theexterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention, shown in itsretracted state;

FIG. 11 is another top plan view of the extending/retracting mechanismof the exterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention, shownin its extended state;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 1, with portions removed to show additional detail;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 2, with portions removed to show additional detail;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the actuator of the exterior rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly ofthe present invention, shown in both its retracted and extended states,showing the degree of extension and angular adjustment of the mirrorhead provided by the extending/retracting mechanism of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic showing the pivotal movement of the links andmirror head;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another exterior rearview mirrorassembly of the present invention, shown in its retracted state;

FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 17, shown in its extended state;

FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the retracted exterior rearview mirror assemblyof FIG.

FIG. 21 is a top view of the extended exterior rearview mirror assemblyof FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a top view of the extended exterior rearview mirror assemblyof the present invention, shown in both its retracted and extendedstates, showing the degree of extension and angular adjustment of themirror head provided by the extending/retracting mechanism of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are side elevations of the mounting arm of the exteriorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the mounting arm of FIGS. 23 and 24;

FIGS. 26 and 27 are views of a bracket sub-assembly for attaching themirror head at the mounting arm of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a top view of the mounting arm and pivot linkages of theexterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention, shown withthe pivot linkages at the retracted state;

FIG. 29 is a top view of the mounting arm and pivot linkages of FIG. 28,shown with the pivot linkages at the extended state;

FIG. 30 is a side elevation of a portion of the mounting arm of FIG. 23,showing the touch pads for contacting and mating with the touch pads ofthe bracket when the bracket and mirror head are at the extended andretracted positions;

FIG. 31 is a view of the bracket sub-assembly of FIG. 26, showing thetouch pads for contacting and mating with the touch pads of the mountingarm when the bracket and mirror head are at the extended and retractedpositions;

FIG. 32 is a top view of the mounting arm and pivot linkages and bracketsub-assembly of the present invention, shown in the retracted state;

FIG. 33 is a top view of the mounting arm and pivot linkages and bracketsub-assembly of FIG. 32, shown in the extended state;

FIGS. 34-37 are other views of the exterior rearview mirror assembly ofFIGS. 17-22;

FIG. 38 is a sectional view of the mirror head and bracket and arm ofthe extended rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a lower perspective view of a lower or bottom portion of themounting arm of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of the presentinvention, showing spline and detent features for use with a poweredactuator or a manual adjustment mechanism; and

FIG. 40 is a lower perspective view of the lower or bottom portion ofthe mounting arm of FIG. 39, showing a powered actuator disposed at thespline and detent features.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, an exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle includesa mirror head 12 having a mirror reflective element and a mirror shellor casing 16, with the mirror head being adjustably mounted at amounting structure or arm 18 and adjustable via an adjustment mechanismor device 20 that adjusts the mirror head between a retracted state(FIG. 1) and an extended state (FIG. 2). The adjustment mechanism 20includes a rotary actuator 22 that is operable to pivot an inner orinboard link 24 that is connected between an inboard portion or inboardmounting post or stanchion or pin of the mirror head and the actuator22, which swings the inboard portion of the mirror head, which causes anouter or outboard link 26 (pivotally connected at one end to theadjustment mechanism or mounting arm and at the other end to an outboardmounting post or stanchion or pin of the mirror head) to swing or pivotan outboard portion (outboard of the inboard portion) of the mirrorhead, whereby the mirror head 12 is swung or swept or arcuately movedbetween the extended and retracted states, as discussed below. Thelengths and mounting locations of the links 24, 26 are selected suchthat, as the mirror head is swung outwards to its extended position, themirror head (and reflective element) pivot so as to be pivoted or cantedrearward and inward so that the mirror reflective element is angled orcanted towards the driver to provide an enhanced viewing angle to thedriver, as also discussed below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting structure 18 comprises anelongated arm that is pivotally mounted at a base portion 28, which isconfigured to attach at a side of a vehicle. The base portion of themirror assembly is mounted at the side of a host or subject vehicle,with the reflective element providing a rearward field of view along therespective side of the vehicle to the driver of the vehicle.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror assembly comprises a powerfoldmirror assembly that includes an actuator that is operable to pivot themounting structure or arm and the mirror head relative to the baseportion. The actuator may operate response to a user input to pivot themounting arm and mirror head between a use position (as shown) and afolded position, where the arm and mirror head may be disposed generallyalong the side of the vehicle. Although shown as pivotally mounting atthe base portion, such as for a powerfold mirror application (where themounting structure or arm and the mirror head may be pivoted relative tothe base portion via an actuator assembly or adjustment device) orbreakaway mirror application, the mounting arm or structure may befixedly mounted at a base portion or at the side of the vehicle.

The mounting arm or structure 18 supports or houses the adjustmentmechanism 20, and is formed so that the mirror casing of the mirror headengages or nests at the outer portion of the mounting structure when inits retracted position, and extends from the outer portion of themounting structure when in its extended position, such as can be seenwith reference to FIGS. 1-4. As shown in FIG. 7, the rear of the mirrorcasing 16 may include a channel or contour 16 a that at least partiallyreceives a portion of the mounting arm 18.

The adjustment mechanism 20 is received in the mounting arm 18 andattached thereto, such as via a mounting bracket or brace 30 that may beattached to the mounting arm via one or more fasteners to retain theadjustment mechanism 20 and its actuator 22 at the mounting arm orstructure 18 (such as shown in FIGS. 5-11). As shown in FIG. 14, theinboard link 24 is attached at the pivot shaft of the actuator, whichhas an output gear that is rotatably driven by an electrically poweredmotor 21 (FIGS. 12 and 13) of the adjustment mechanism to rotatablydrive the pivot pin and inboard link. The actuator may include a detentplate that engages a link detent plate of the inboard link, such thatthe position of the link (and the mirror head) may stop at particulardetent locations (retracted and extended positions) and the mirror headmay be manually moved to those locations.

For example, and such as shown in FIG. 14, the actuator assemblyincludes a link detent plate 40 at the inboard link 24 and a manualdetent plate 42 at the actuator and a detent spring 44 that urges themanual detent plate into engagement with the link detent plate. As canbe seen with reference to FIG. 14, compression of detent spring 44allows for disengagement of the detent plates 40, 42, which in turnallows for manual pivoting of the inboard link 24 (and the mirror head)relative to the mounting arm 18. As also shown in FIG. 14, the mountingarm includes an arm cover 38 to encase the adjustment mechanism withinthe mounting arm. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustmentmechanism includes an output gear 46 of the actuator or motor thatimparts rotation of the outboard arm 24, which pivots or rotates a pivotsleeve 48 relative to a pivot pin or screw 50 (with the outboard arm 24keyed to the sleeve so as to rotate therewith).

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 22 has the inner link 24mounted at the actuator pivot pin, such that rotation of the pivot pin(such as via the drive motor rotatably driving the output gear of theactuator) rotates the inner link. The opposite end of the inboard link24 is pivotally attached at the inboard portion of the mirror head, suchas to a post or stanchion or pin at the rear of the mirror casing orinside the mirror casing. The outboard link 26 is pivotally mounted atone end to a post or stanchion at the outer end of the mounting arm 18and at the other end at the rear of the mirror head at a locationoutboard of the inboard link mounting location.

Thus, when actuated (such as via actuation of a user input by the driverof the vehicle) to move the mirror head from its retracted state to itsextended state, the actuator pivots the inboard link 24, which moves theinboard portion of the mirror head, which imparts a correspondingmovement of the outboard mounting region for the outboard link, whichpivots relative to the mounting arm as the mirror head is moved. Themirror head thus swings or arcuately moves along the path of the outerends of the links 24, 26 as they pivot about the actuator pivot pin andthe outer end mount, respectively. The lengths and configurations of thelinks 24, 26 are selected such that, as the mirror head swings towardsits extended state, the mirror head is angled or pivoted or cantedrearward and towards the side of the vehicle, such as can be seen withreference to FIGS. 10-13 and 15. This is accomplished by selecting themounting locations and stop points (where the mirror ends of the linkscontact recesses or stops at the mounting arm or actuator body, such ascan be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11) for the links at relative locations sothat the links do not pivot as opposite sides of a parallelogram, suchthat the mirror head (and thus the reflective element) does not stayparallel to its initial location when it is extended.

As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 15, the plane of therear face or open end of the mirror casing is at a first angle relativeto the side of the vehicle when the mirror head is in its retractedposition, and is at a second angle relative to the side of the vehiclewhen the mirror head is in its extended position (thus the reflectiveelement also is angled with the mirror head, without adjustment of thereflective element via actuation of a mirror actuator in the mirrorcasing). For example, and such as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 (with FIG. 16being a schematic of the links and mirror head as they pivot and movebetween the retracted and extended states), the mirror head, when it isextended may move outwards about 107 mm and may be angled or cantedtowards the side of the vehicle about 8 degrees, whereby a plane A of orgenerally parallel to the mirror reflective element or other surface ofthe mirror head when the mirror head is extended is canted towards theside of the vehicle more than a plane B of or generally parallel to themirror reflective element or other surface of the mirror head when themirror head is retracted (the term “plane” is used herein to generallydefine the location or angle of the reflective element and mirror headrelative to the vehicle, and optionally the plane may correspond withthe opening or rear edge or surface of the mirror casing or a surface ofa generally planar attachment plate or bracket that attaches the mirrorhead to the linkages of the adjustment mechanism or the like). However,the degree of head extension and rotation or canting can be adjusted orselected by selecting different lengths for the links and differentrelative pivot mounting locations of the links, such as differentrelative mounting locations of the links at the mirror head and/or atthe mounting arm.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-38 an exterior rearview mirror assembly 110for a vehicle includes a mirror head 112 having a mirror reflectiveelement and a mirror shell or casing 116, with the mirror head beingadjustably mounted at a mounting structure or arm 118 and adjustable viaan adjustment mechanism or device 120 that adjusts the mirror headbetween a retracted state (FIGS. 17, 20, 34 and 36) and an extendedstate (FIGS. 18, 19, 21, 35 and 37). The adjustment mechanism 120includes a rotary actuator 122 that is operable to pivot an inner orinboard link 124 that is connected between an inboard portion or inboardmounting post or stanchion or pin of a bracket 123 of the mirror headand the actuator 122, which swings the inboard portion of the bracket123 and mirror head 112, which causes an outer or outboard link 126(pivotally attached at one end to the mounting arm and at the other endto an outboard mounting post or stanchion or pin of the bracket 123 ofthe mirror head) to swing or pivot an outboard portion (outboard of theinboard portion) of the mirror head, whereby the mirror head 112 isswung or swept or arcuately moved between the extended and retractedstates. The lengths and mounting locations of the links 124, 126 areselected such that, as the mirror head is swung outwards to its extendedposition, the mirror head (and reflective element) pivot so as to bepivoted or canted rearward and inward so that the mirror reflectiveelement is angled or canted towards the driver to provide an enhancedviewing angle to the driver, as also discussed below. The adjustmentmechanism may be similar to the adjustment mechanism discussed above,such that a detailed discussion of the similar or common features neednot be repeated herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting structure 118 comprises anelongated arm that is pivotally mounted at a base portion 128, which isconfigured to attach at a side of a vehicle. The base portion of themirror assembly is mounted at the side of a host or subject vehicle,with the reflective element providing a rearward field of view along therespective side of the vehicle to the driver of the vehicle.

The mounting arm or structure 118 supports or houses the adjustmentmechanism 120, and is formed so that the mirror casing of the mirrorhead engages or nests at the outer portion of the mounting structurewhen in its retracted position, and extends from the outer portion ofthe mounting structure when in its extended position. As shown in FIGS.18 and 35, the rear of the mirror casing 116 may include a channel orcontour 116 a that at least partially receives a portion of the mountingarm 118.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inner linkage 124 comprises an angledlink that has about a ninety degree bend such that, when the mirror headis retracted, the outer portion of the link 124 extends generally alongthe arm 118 and bracket 123 (see FIGS. 28 and 32), and when the mirrorhead is extended, the outer portion of the link 124 protrudes from thearm 118 (see FIGS. 29 and 33). As shown in FIG. 32, when the mirror headis retracted, the outer portion of the link 124 may be at leastpartially received in a recess or channel formed along the rear surfaceof the bracket 123. Thus, as the actuator motor 122 is actuated to pivotlink 124 to retract the mirror head, the link 124 pivots or swings themirror head towards the retracted position and draws the mirror headbracket 123 towards the mounting arm as it approaches the fullyretracted position (FIG. 32). Similarly, as the actuator motor 122 isactuated to pivot link 124 to extend the mirror head, the link 124pivots or swings the mirror head towards the extended position and drawsthe mirror head bracket 123 towards the mounting arm as it approachesthe fully extended position (FIG. 33).

In the illustrated embodiment, the arm and bracket include touch pads orcontact pads or engaging elements that are configured to enhance matingof the bracket 123 at the arm 118 when the mirror head and bracket arefully extended or fully retracted. For example, and such as shown inFIG. 30, the arm includes two sets of touch pads or engaging elements,an outer set (for mating with the bracket touch pads when extended)comprising touch pads or engaging elements 130 a and 130 b, and an innerset (for mating with the bracket touch pads when retracted) comprisingtouch pads or engaging elements 132 a, 132 b. As shown in FIG. 31, thebracket 123 includes a single set of touch pads or engaging elementscomprising touch pads or engaging elements 134 a, 134 b. The touch padsare correspondingly shaped or formed and are ramped to provide enhancedmating as the bracket is moved into engagement with the arm when fullyretracted or extended. Thus, and as best shown in FIG. 32, when thebracket 123 (and mirror head) is retracted, touch pad 134 a of bracket123 engages and mates with touch pad 132 a of arm 118 while touch pads134 b of bracket 123 engage and mate with touch pads 132 b of arm 118.Likewise, when the bracket 123 (and mirror head) is extended, touch pad134 a engages and mates with touch pad 130 a of arm 113 while touch pads134 b of bracket 123 engage and mate with touch pads 130 b of arm 118.

The touch pads comprise ramped surfaces that provide stability to theextendable mirror head by providing precise locating features for thehead assembly to line up and slide into each time the mirror head isextended or retracted. The ramped design provides solid anchor pointsfor stability in the up/down (vertical) and left/right (lateral)directions. In the illustrated embodiment, the touch pads 130 a, 132 aof the mounting arm are configured to partially receive thecorrespondingly shaped touch pad 134 a of the bracket, while the touchpads 134 b of the bracket are configured to partially receive thecorrespondingly shaped touch pads 130 b, 132 b of the mounting arm(although the bracket touch pad 134 a may at least partially receive thearm touch pads 130 a, 132 a and/or the arm touch pads 130 b, 132 b mayat least partially receive the bracket touch pads 134 b while remainingwith the spirit and scope of the present invention). The three points ofengagement assist in guiding and mating the touch pads together as thebracket is moved into the extended or retracted position and limitmovement (vertical and lateral movement) of the bracket (and mirrorhead) relative to the mounting arm when the bracket (and mirror head) isfully extended or retracted.

Thus, when actuated (such as via actuation of a user input by the driverof the vehicle) to move the mirror head from its retracted state to itsextended state, the actuator pivots the inboard link 124, which movesthe inboard portion of the mirror head, which imparts a correspondingmovement of the outboard mounting region for the outboard link, whichpivots relative to the mounting arm as the mirror head is moved. Themirror head thus swings or arcuately moves along the path of the outerends of the links 124, 126 as they pivot about the actuator pivot pinand the outer end mount, respectively. The lengths and configurations ofthe links 124, 126 are selected such that, as the mirror head swingstowards its extended state, the mirror head is angled or pivoted orcanted rearward and towards the side of the vehicle. This isaccomplished by selecting the mounting locations and stop points (wherethe mirror ends of the links contact recesses or stops or touch pads atthe mounting arm or mirror head bracket) for the links at relativelocations so that the links do not pivot as opposite sides of aparallelogram, such that the mirror head (and thus the reflectiveelement) does not stay parallel to its initial location when it isextended.

As can be seen with reference to FIG. 22, the plane of the rear face oropen end of the mirror casing is at a first angle (see plane or positionA in FIG. 22) relative to the side of the vehicle when the mirror headis in its retracted position, and is at a second angle (see plane orposition B in FIG. 22) relative to the side of the vehicle when themirror head is in its extended position (thus the reflective elementalso is angled with the mirror head, without adjustment of thereflective element via actuation of a mirror actuator in the mirrorcasing). For example, and such as shown in FIG. 22, the mirror head,when it is extended may move outwards about 100 mm and may be angled orcanted towards the side of the vehicle about 4 degrees. However, thedegree of head extension and rotation or canting can be adjusted orselected by selecting different lengths for the links and differentrelative pivot mounting locations of the links, such as differentrelative mounting locations of the links at the mirror head and/or atthe mounting arm.

Thus, the head angle changes when the head assembly transitions betweenretracted and extended positions. This angle change removes the need forthe driver to manually adjust the mirror glass angle. The head anglechange can be adjusted by changing the linkage lengths and pivot axislocations.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may allow for manual extension andretraction of the mirror head. For example, the power extend actuatorand detent plate may be allowed to float in the Z direction (vertical)to allow for manual operation of the extend function (such as vialifting or lowering the mirror head relative to the mounting arm todisengage the actuator or linkage from a detent and then manually movingthe mirror head to the other position and re-engaging the actuator orlinkage a the other detent). Allowing the actuator to move relative tothe arm/linkage allows manual operation without the usual “lift andturn” motion that is typically required in conventional extendablemirror heads. The present invention thus allows movement only in theswing direction, and substantially limits or precludes any verticalmovement of the mirror head relative to the mounting arm (in the up/downdirection) for both manual and electrical operation.

The power extend mechanism of the mirror assembly may include backlashcontrol during manual operation. For example, the powerfold actuator mayallow for about 2-3 degrees of backlash. The detent positions of theextend mechanism are about 90 degrees apart, and the drive link swingangle provides for tight lockup after manual operation to take up anybacklash from the actuator. The drive link swing angle may beapproximately equal to the detent angle minus the actuator backlash.

Optionally, the adjustment mechanism may comprise a manual adjustmentmechanism without an actuator. For example, and as can be seen withreference to FIG. 39, the mounting arm 118 may include spline featuresor detents 136 formed at a pivot sleeve or passageway 138 formed in themounting arm (such as at a bottom or lower portion of the mounting armat or near where the inboard linkage 124 mounts). Thus, for a manualadjustment mechanism, the inboard linkage (not shown in FIG. 39)includes detents or engaging features that engage the detents 136 at themounting arm 118, whereby when the linkage is lowered to disengage thedetents, the linkage (and thus the mirror head) can be pivoted or swungfrom one of the extended/retracted positions to the other of theextended/retracted positions, whereby the detents may engage to retainthe linkage (and the mirror head) at the other location. The manualadjustment mechanism includes a detent spring to bias the detents orengaging features of the inboard linkage and mounting arm intoengagement, whereby a user may push or move the mirror head and inboardlinkage downward against the spring force to disengage the detents toallow for manual movement of the inboard linkage (and the mirror head)relative to the mounting arm.

Optionally, the same configuration of the mounting arm may be providedfor a powered extend/retract adjustment mechanism, whereby a poweredactuator 122 (see FIG. 40) may be disposed at and engage with thedetents at the mounting arm 118. The spline features or detents matchthe output gear of the actuator to limit or constrain the floatingdetent plate from axial rotation while allowing vertical movement (toallow for disengagement of the detents and for manual adjustment of themirror head even with the powered actuator application). The manualextend drop-in feature can either be a separate plastic part that locksinto the arm or can be formed as part of the arm (such as via a moldinsert applied during the molding of the mounting arm). If the featureis a separate drop-in part, rib features on the mounting arm may beprovided to enhance solid constraints in all directions.

Thus, the present invention provides an extension/retraction mechanismor device that is operable to extend or retract or move the mirror headbetween its retracted and extended positions or states, while alsoadjusting the angle of the mirror head relative to the side of thevehicle. The mechanism of the present invention thus automaticallyadjusts the mirror head for enhanced viewing when the mirror head ismoved to its extended position, such that the driver does not have toalso adjust the mirror reflective element after extending the mirrorhead (such as is typically needed with known extension devices). Themechanism of the present invention also provides a relatively simpledevice, which may use a similar actuator as used for the powerfoldfunction.

The mirror assembly may comprise any suitable mirror assembly orstructure or housing. Optionally, the mirror assembly may utilizeaspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/618,159, filed Feb. 10, 2015 and published Aug. 13, 2015 asU.S. Publication No. US-2015-0224930, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

Optionally, an exterior rearview mirror assembly of the presentinvention may include a spotter mirror element to provide a wide anglerearward field of view to the driver of the vehicle equipped with themirror assembly. The spotter mirror element may utilize aspects of themirrors described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,917,437; 7,255,451; 7,195,381;6,717,712; 7,126,456; 6,315,419; 7,097,312; 6,522,451; 6,315,419;5,080,492; 5,050,977; 5,033,835; 8,736,940; 8,021,005; 7,934,844;7,887,204; 7,824,045 and/or 7,748,856, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, an exterior rearview mirror assembly of the presentinvention may include a turn signal indicator or the like for indicatingto drivers of other vehicles that the driver of the equipped vehicle hasactuated a turn signal of the vehicle. The turn signal indicator of theexterior rearview mirror assembly may utilize aspects of the mirrorsystems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,198,409; 5,929,786 and/or5,786,772, and/or International Publication Nos. WO 2007/005942 and/orWO 2008/051910, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties. The signal indicator or indication module may includeor utilize aspects of various light modules or systems or devices, suchas the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,764,256; 7,581,859;6,227,689; 6,582,109; 5,371,659; 5,497,306; 5,669,699; 5,823,654;6,176,602 and/or 6,276,821, and/or International Publication No. WO2006/124682, and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2013-0242586, and/or U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/615,821, filed Feb. 6, 2015 and publishedAug. 13, 2015 as U.S. Publication No. US-2015-0224919, and/orInternational Publication No. WO 2006/124682, and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US2015/022398, filed Mar. 25, 2015 and published as InternationalPublication No. WO 2015/148611, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Such an indicator or indicators may function as a lane change assist(LCA) indicator or indicators and/or a blind spot indicator orindicators. Such blind spot indicators are typically activated when anobject is detected (via an object detection or side object or blind spotdetection system or the like such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,550,677; 5,760,962; 6,097,023; 5,796,094; 5,715,093; 7,526,103;6,250,148; 6,341,523; 6,353,392; 6,313,454; 5,670,935; 6,201,642;6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,717,610; 6,757,109; 7,005,974; 7,038,577;6,882,287; 6,198,409; 5,929,786; 5,786,772; 7,038,577; 6,882,287;6,198,409; 5,929,786; 5,786,772; 7,881,496 and/or 7,720,580, and/orInternational Publication Nos. WO 2007/005942 and/or WO 2004/047421,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties)at the side and/or rear of the vehicle (at the blind spot) and when theturn signal is also activated, so as to provide an alert to the driverof the host vehicle that there is an object or vehicle in the lane nextto the host vehicle at a time when the driver of the host vehicleintends to move over into the adjacent lane.

Optionally, the exterior mirror element of a mirror assembly may includeheater pad or film or element at a rear surface of the mirror reflectiveelement. The heater pad or element at the rear surface of the glasssubstrate may comprise a mirror defrost/demisting heater and may providean anti-fogging of de-fogging feature to the exterior mirror assembly,and may utilize aspects of the heater elements or pads described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 8,058,977; 7,400,435; 5,808,777; 5,610,756 and/or 5,446,576,and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/779,047, filed Jul. 17, 2007,and published Jan. 17, 2008 as U.S. Pat. Publication Nos.US-2008-0011733 and/or US-2011-0286096, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

The reflective elements of the mirror assemblies described above maycomprise an electro-optic or electrochromic mirror assembly thatincludes an electro-optic or electrochromic reflective element. Theperimeter edges of the reflective element may be encased or encompassedby the perimeter element or portion of the bezel portion to conceal andcontain and envelop the perimeter edges of the substrates and theperimeter seal disposed therebetween. The electrochromic mirror elementof the electrochromic mirror assembly may utilize the principlesdisclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,274,501; 7,255,451;7,195,381; 7,184,190; 6,690,268; 5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,178,034;6,154,306; 6,002,544; 5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756; 5,406,414;5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012; 5,117,346; 5,724,187; 5,668,663;5,910,854; 5,142,407 and/or 4,712,879, and/or International PublicationNo. WO 2010/114825, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

Optionally, it is envisioned that aspects of the mirror assemblies ofthe present invention may be suitable for a rearview mirror assemblythat comprises a non-electro-optic mirror assembly (such as a generallyplanar or optionally slightly curved mirror substrate) or anelectro-optic or electrochromic mirror assembly. Optionally, therearview mirror assembly may comprise a mirror assembly of the typesdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,420,756; 7,289,037; 7,274,501; 7,338,177;7,255,451; 7,249,860; 6,318,870; 6,598,980; 5,327,288; 4,948,242;4,826,289; 4,436,371 and/or 4,435,042, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties. A variety of mirror accessoriesand constructions are known in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,555,136; 5,582,383; 5,680,263; 5,984,482; 6,227,675;6,229,319 and/or 6,315,421 (which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties), that can benefit from the presentinvention.

Optionally, the reflective element of the mirror assemblies describedherein may include an opaque or substantially opaque or hiding perimeterlayer or coating or band disposed around a perimeter edge region of thefront substrate (such as at a perimeter region of the rear or secondsurface of the front substrate) to conceal or hide or the perimeter sealfrom viewing by the driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly isnormally mounted in the vehicle. Such a hiding layer or perimeter bandmay be reflective or not reflective and may utilize aspects of theperimeter bands and mirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,066,112; 7,626,749; 7,274,501; 7,184,190 and/or 7,255,451, and/orInternational Publication Nos. WO 2010/124064 and/or WO 2011/044312,and/or U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US-2006-0061008, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror assembly may include an imagingsensor (such as a sideward and/or rearward facing imaging sensor orcamera that has a sideward/rearward field of view at the side of thevehicle at which the exterior mirror assembly is mounted) that may bepart of or may provide an image output for a vehicle vision system, suchas a lane departure warning system or object detection system or blindzone alert system or surround view vision system other vehicle visionsystem or the like, and may utilize aspects of various imaging sensorsor imaging array sensors or cameras or the like, such as a CMOS imagingarray sensor, a CCD sensor or other sensors or the like, such as thetypes described in U.S. Pat. Nos. U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,786,704; 5,550,677;5,670,935; 5,760,962; 6,498,620; 6,396,397; 6,222,447; 6,201,642;6,097,023; 5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,715,093; 6,922,292; 6,757,109;6,717,610; 6,590,719; 6,320,176; 6,559,435; 6,831,261; 6,806,452;6,822,563; 6,946,978; 7,038,577; 7,004,606 and/or 7,720,580, which areall hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.Optionally, for example, the vehicle vision system (utilizing a forwardfacing camera and a rearward facing camera and other cameras disposed atthe vehicle with exterior fields of view) may be part of or may providea display of a top-down view or birds-eye view system of the vehicle ora surround view at the vehicle, such as by utilizing aspects of thevision systems described International Publication Nos. WO 2010/099416;WO 2011/028686; WO 2012/075250; WO 2013/019795; WO 2012-075250; WO2012/154919; WO 2012/0116043; WO 2012/0145501; WO 2012/0145313; WO2012/145822; WO 2013/081985; WO 2013/086249 and/or WO 2013/109869,and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2011-0162427, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly, the vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirror head having a mirrorcasing and a mirror reflective element; a mounting arm configured forattachment at a side of a vehicle; wherein the mirror head is adjustablymounted at the mounting arm via a link that pivotally attaches at oneend to the mirror head and pivotally attaches at another end to themounting arm; wherein, with the mounting arm attached at the side of thevehicle, the mirror head is adjustable relative to the mounting armbetween a retracted position and an extended position, and wherein themirror head is closer to the side of the vehicle at which the mountingarm is attached when in the retracted position as compared to theextended position; an adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the mirrorhead relative to the mounting arm between the retracted position and theextended position; wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises anelectrically operated motor that operates to pivotally adjust the link;wherein the adjustment mechanism, when the electrically operated motoris operated to pivotally adjust the link, swings the mirror head alongan arcuate path between the retracted position and the extendedposition; and wherein, when the electrically operated motor is operatedto pivotally adjust the link to adjust the mirror head relative to themounting arm attached at the side of the vehicle, an angle of the mirrorhead relative to the side of the vehicle at which the vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly is attached is also adjusted.
 2. The vehicularexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the mirrorreflective element is oriented to provide a driver of the vehicle afield of view rearward and sideward of the vehicle with the mounting armattached at the side of the vehicle both (a) when the mirror head is inthe retracted position and (b) when the mirror head is in the extendedposition.
 3. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1,wherein the electrically operated motor is disposed at the mounting arm.4. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, whereinthe adjustment mechanism comprises a second link that pivotally attachesat one end to the mirror head and pivotally attaches at another end tothe mounting arm, and wherein the link and the second link swing themirror head through the arcuate path between the retracted position andthe extended position.
 5. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 4, wherein operation of the electrically operatedmotor pivots the link relative to the mounting arm, whereby the mirrorhead moves via pivotal movement of the link and the second link.
 6. Thevehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 4, wherein the linkis not parallel to the second link.
 7. The vehicular exterior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 4, wherein the link comprises an inboard linkpivotally attached at an inboard portion of the mirror head, and whereinthe second link comprises an outboard link pivotally attached at anoutboard portion of the mirror head and at an outboard portion of themounting arm distal from where the mounting arm is attached at the sideof the vehicle, and wherein the inboard link is closer to the side ofthe vehicle at which the mounting arm is attached than the outboardlink, and wherein the inboard portion of the mirror head is closer tothe side of the vehicle at which the mounting arm is attached than theoutboard portion of the mirror head.
 8. The vehicular exterior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the inboard portion and the outboardportion of the mirror head comprise inboard and outboard portions of amounting bracket of the mirror head.
 9. The vehicular exterior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 8, wherein the link comprises a bent linkhaving an inner portion and an outer straight portion, and wherein, whenthe mirror head is in the retracted position, the outer straight portionof the bent link is parallel to the mounting bracket of the mirror head.10. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, whereinthe mirror head comprises a rear surface, the rear surface comprising asurface of the mirror casing that circumscribes an opening of the mirrorcasing at which the mirror reflective element is disposed, and wherein,with the mounting arm attached at the side of the vehicle, the rearsurface of the mirror head is angled more towards the side of thevehicle rearward of where the mounting arm is attached when the mirrorhead is in the extended position than when the mirror head is in theretracted position.
 11. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assemblyof claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust themirror head relative to the mounting arm in response to a user inputdisposed in the vehicle, and wherein the user input is actuatable by adriver of the vehicle at which the vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly is attached.
 12. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 1, wherein, when the mirror head is manually moved tothe retracted position, the link engages a first detent to retain themirror head at the retracted position, and wherein, when the mirror headis manually moved to the extended position, the link engages a seconddetent to retain the mirror head at the extended position.
 13. Thevehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein themounting arm comprises at least one first engaging element and at leastone second engaging element, and wherein the mirror head comprises atleast one third engaging element, and wherein, when the mirror head isin the retracted position, the at least one third engaging elementengages the at least one first engaging element to align and retain themirror head at the retracted position, and wherein, when the mirror headis in the extended position, the at least one third engaging elementengages the at least one second engaging element to align and retain themirror head at the extended position.
 14. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one firstengaging element comprises three first engaging elements, and whereinthe at least one second engaging element comprises three second engagingelements, and wherein the at least one third engaging element comprisesthree third engaging elements.
 15. The vehicular exterior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the three first engaging elementsare non-linearly arranged at the mounting arm.
 16. A vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly, the vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly comprising: a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirrorreflective element; a mounting arm configured for attachment at a sideof a vehicle; wherein the mirror head is adjustably mounted at themounting arm via a link that pivotally attaches at one end to the mirrorhead and pivotally attaches at another end to the mounting arm; wherein,with the mounting arm attached at the side of the vehicle, the mirrorhead is adjustable relative to the mounting arm between a retractedposition and an extended position, and wherein the mirror head is closerto the side of the vehicle at which the mounting arm is attached when inthe retracted position as compared to the extended position; anadjustment mechanism operable to adjust the mirror head relative to themounting arm between the retracted position and the extended position;wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust the mirror headrelative to the mounting arm in response to a user input disposed in thevehicle, and wherein the user input is actuatable by a driver of thevehicle at which the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly isattached; wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an electricallyoperated motor that operates to pivotally adjust the link; wherein theadjustment mechanism, when the electrically operated motor is operatedto pivotally adjust the link, swings the mirror head along an arcuatepath between the retracted position and the extended position; wherein,when the electrically operated motor is operated to pivotally adjust thelink to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting arm attached atthe side of the vehicle, an angle of the mirror head relative to theside of the vehicle at which the vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly is attached is also adjusted; and wherein the mirror reflectiveelement is oriented to provide the driver of the vehicle a field of viewrearward and sideward of the vehicle with the mounting arm attached atthe side of the vehicle both (a) when the mirror head is in theretracted position and (b) when the mirror head is in the extendedposition.
 17. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim16, wherein the electrically operated motor is disposed at the mountingarm.
 18. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 16,wherein the mirror head comprises a rear surface, the rear surfacecomprising a surface of the mirror casing that circumscribes an openingof the mirror casing at which the mirror reflective element is disposed,and wherein, with the mounting arm attached at the side of the vehicle,the rear surface of the mirror head is angled more towards the side ofthe vehicle rearward of where the mounting arm is attached when themirror head is in the extended position than when the mirror head is inthe retracted position.
 19. A vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly, the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising: amirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element; amounting arm configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle; whereinthe mirror head is adjustably mounted at the mounting arm via a firstlink that pivotally attaches at one end to the mirror head and pivotallyattaches at another end to the mounting arm; wherein the mirror head isadjustably mounted at the mounting arm a second link that pivotallyattaches at one end to the mirror head and pivotally attaches at anotherend to the mounting arm; wherein, with the mounting arm attached at theside of the vehicle, the mirror head is adjustable relative to themounting arm between a retracted position and an extended position, andwherein the mirror head is closer to the side of the vehicle at whichthe mounting arm is attached when in the retracted position as comparedto the extended position; an adjustment mechanism operable to adjust themirror head relative to the mounting arm between the retracted positionand the extended position; wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises anelectrically operated motor that operates to pivotally adjust the firstlink; wherein the electrically operated motor is disposed at themounting arm; wherein the adjustment mechanism, when the electricallyoperated motor is operated to pivotally adjust the first link, swingsthe mirror head along an arcuate path between the retracted position andthe extended position via pivotal movement of the first link and thesecond link; and wherein, when the electrically operated motor isoperated to pivotally adjust the first link to adjust the mirror headrelative to the mounting arm attached at the side of the vehicle, anangle of the mirror head relative to the side of the vehicle at whichthe vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached is alsoadjusted.
 20. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim19, wherein the mirror reflective element is oriented to provide adriver of the vehicle a field of view rearward and sideward of thevehicle with the mounting arm attached at the side of the vehicle both(a) when the mirror head is in the retracted position and (b) when themirror head is in the extended position.
 21. The vehicular exteriorrearview mirror assembly of claim 19, wherein the first link is notparallel to the second link.
 22. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 19, wherein the first link comprises an inboard linkpivotally attached at an inboard portion of the mirror head, and whereinthe second link comprises an outboard link pivotally attached at anoutboard portion of the mirror head and at an outboard portion of themounting arm distal from where the mounting arm is attached at the sideof the vehicle, and wherein the inboard link is closer to the side ofthe vehicle at which the mounting arm is attached than the outboardlink, and wherein the inboard portion of the mirror head is closer tothe side of the vehicle at which the mounting arm is attached than theoutboard portion of the mirror head.
 23. The vehicular exterior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 22, wherein the inboard portion and theoutboard portion of the mirror head comprise inboard and outboardportions of a mounting bracket of the mirror head.
 24. The vehicularexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein the first linkcomprises a bent link having an inner portion and an outer straightportion, and wherein, when the mirror head is in the retracted position,the outer straight portion of the bent link is parallel to the mountingbracket of the mirror head.
 25. The vehicular exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 19, wherein the mirror head comprises a rear surface,the rear surface comprising a surface of the mirror casing thatcircumscribes an opening of the mirror casing at which the mirrorreflective element is disposed, and wherein, with the mounting armattached at the side of the vehicle, the rear surface of the mirror headis angled more towards the side of the vehicle rearward of where themounting arm is attached when the mirror head is in the extendedposition than when the mirror head is in the retracted position.
 26. Thevehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 19, wherein theadjustment mechanism is operable to adjust the mirror head relative tothe mounting arm in response to a user input disposed in the vehicle,and wherein the user input is actuatable by a driver of the vehicle atwhich the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached.